When I dropped Drew off at school today three older kids were standing at the doorway into his classroom. They looked to be much older than Drew, and to Drew they must have looked humongous. They had to 5 or 6 years old, I know that they couldn't have been any older than that, but they looked so mature. They were talking loudly and excitedly. Drew clung close to my leg and looked down. I pushed him forward through the doorway. “Drew, why don't you go sit at the table over there?” I pointed to a table farther away from the older boys. Drew walked over to the table and sat down quietly. I could sense his apprehension.
They are just little boys, I wanted to tell Drew. Little boys that you won't even know in a couple of years. What they say doesn't matter and there is no need to be nervous. Don't be afraid, just be your wonderful, loving self. That's all that matters. It will all be okay, just be happy and don't worry. Instead of saying this, I gave him a kiss on the head, and told him “I love you and I will see you later. Have a good day.”
As a parent, when do you step in? When do you say those things that need to be said?
I guess the real question is why I can't follow my own advice? I'm still trying to heed my own unspoken advice to my son. I still let the little things take over my thoughts and render me useless. Why do I let people at work get to me? Why do I worry so much about what people think of me? Why am I still pretending I am skinny on Facebook? Why do I let the loss of a follower (and one of my favorite bloggers) bother me? I know it's ridiculous and yet sometimes these thoughts haunt me.
I'm guess I am still learning. I just hope I can find the way, and lead in my words and my actions for my children.
What they say doesn't mean anything. Don't be afraid, just be your wonderful, loving self. That's all that matters. It will all be okay, just be happy and don't worry.
Sorry this is a little too deep for a Monday. I hope you are having a good day today, with very few worries.
People spend a lifetime searching for happiness; looking for peace. They chase idle dreams, addictions, religions, even other people, hoping to fill the emptiness that plagues them. The irony is the only place they ever needed to search was within.- Ramona L. Anderson
April 27, 2009
April 24, 2009
Friday Favorites #11
It's Friday Favorites time! Oh yes it's time to pay homage to all the things that got us through the week, and give credit where credit is due! Here are my Friday Favorites this week....
Weather. Two 80 degree days in a row! Has Spring finally Sprung in Michigan?
Chuck- TV Series. Please don't let this get canceled, I think Mr. Bee would cry!My Drew and Mommy Date Day. It was a rousing success.
Jacob eating ice cream. Jacob tried ice cream for the first time Thursday night. It was hilarious. He would eat it and then shake his head from the cold rush, squeal, giggle and then ask for more. I will have to get video of it next time, we were at a restaurant this time, otherwise I would have. It is seriously the cutest thing I have ever seen. That boy is an ice cream junkie now. We had to cut him off last night.
Being there for my friends. My friend M texted me on Wednesday. Let's do something tonight. I need to get the F#@* out.
I was so tired. I called her back. "I don't think I can," I told her reluctantly.
"Oh, that's okay," she said, or at least I think she said that... it was hard to hear her over the screaming kids in the background. M has 3 kids under 3, and her 9 month old twin boys were teething.
After I hung up with her I thought about all the times I was losing my mind the year that Drew was born (he could be a tough baby sometimes) and she went out with me, no matter what. If I was frustrated she was THERE for me.
I called her back. "Let's do something," I said, and I heard the lift in her voice when she said okay.
We went out to dinner and had a few drinks. It was a lot of fun, and she was so happy to get out of the house. I love that I was able to do that for her, and I had fun too, even if I was dragging ass on Thursday.
Okay all- now tell me- what are your faves? You can blog some FF's and then link back if you so choose, or leave them in the comments!
April 22, 2009
Earth Day Pt. 2
Happy Earth Day!
Last year I made some bloggy resolutions for earth day, let's see how I fared, okay? My Resolutions from 2008 are in italics.
Here are last year's resolutions:
Buy reusable cloth bags for grocery shopping.
Okay, I am totally doing this.... except that I leave them at home all of the time- plus I just read from Lora at Jakezilla that the bags I'm using are horrible for the environment as well. Well, I've already bought them, so too late on that one. I am reusing all my leftover plastic bags as trash bags though, and I love the cloth bags even though they are not exactly environmentally friendly. (They store so much- who needs real luggage?)
Recycle all of my batteries properly.
I'll admit I have fallen apart on this- I did it once. It's just such a pain to get out to the recying place for this- but I will try and start this back up.
Always remember to turn off my work and home computer when not in use.
Heck yeah! One I have completed successfully and also got Mr. Bee to complete successfully.
Take less baths (it IS my passion, so I will limit myself to 2 a week).
Okay I have fallen apart with this one- it was a cold wet winter.... I needed those baths.
Recycle Cardboard (this is a difficult one for me, but I think I can do it).
This I have been pretty successful at. It helps that there is cardboard recycling at work.
Make more baby food and buy less canned baby food.
Hahahahaha.... what in the hell was I thinking? I never had time for this! Plus Jacob is done with baby food, so this is a moot point.
Switch to cloth Diapers for at home.
This I have been very good at keeping up with, considering that it is a lot of work. I still love my bum genius diapers... they have held up very well.
Support local farmer's markets by buying produce there (I think this is a good thing for the earth and our economy).
This is another one that I just never got around to doing. Maybe I should go with my co-worker K some time.
Plant a tree.
Hmph... this was on here? No. Didn't do it. I just forgot.
Use hand towels instead of paper towels.
We are rocking this one!
Here are my new resolutions for 2009:
Buy more organic and locally grown produce- whether or not it is from the farmer's market- there is local in my grocery store, I just have to look for it!
Kick my recycling/garbage men's ass for not taking my 4 wine bottles and leaving them on the curb so I look like a wino to all my neighbors Find a place to recycle wine bottles.
Grow our own garden. The Bee Family is really excited about this one.
Use green cleaning products. I am close on this one, I just need a final push.
Make good on my failed promises from last year.
and most importantly,
Pass on these important messages to my children. Drew is already all excited about recycling, he loves to take labels off of cans and put them in our recycling bin. Now I just have to teach Jacob. I know he is young, but it's good to start early on.
Now I challenge everyone else to blog some resolutions and check back on yourself in 2010, and make new green resolutions.
Last year I made some bloggy resolutions for earth day, let's see how I fared, okay? My Resolutions from 2008 are in italics.
Here are last year's resolutions:
Buy reusable cloth bags for grocery shopping.
Okay, I am totally doing this.... except that I leave them at home all of the time- plus I just read from Lora at Jakezilla that the bags I'm using are horrible for the environment as well. Well, I've already bought them, so too late on that one. I am reusing all my leftover plastic bags as trash bags though, and I love the cloth bags even though they are not exactly environmentally friendly. (They store so much- who needs real luggage?)
Recycle all of my batteries properly.
I'll admit I have fallen apart on this- I did it once. It's just such a pain to get out to the recying place for this- but I will try and start this back up.
Always remember to turn off my work and home computer when not in use.
Heck yeah! One I have completed successfully and also got Mr. Bee to complete successfully.
Take less baths (it IS my passion, so I will limit myself to 2 a week).
Okay I have fallen apart with this one- it was a cold wet winter.... I needed those baths.
Recycle Cardboard (this is a difficult one for me, but I think I can do it).
This I have been pretty successful at. It helps that there is cardboard recycling at work.
Make more baby food and buy less canned baby food.
Hahahahaha.... what in the hell was I thinking? I never had time for this! Plus Jacob is done with baby food, so this is a moot point.
Switch to cloth Diapers for at home.
This I have been very good at keeping up with, considering that it is a lot of work. I still love my bum genius diapers... they have held up very well.
Support local farmer's markets by buying produce there (I think this is a good thing for the earth and our economy).
This is another one that I just never got around to doing. Maybe I should go with my co-worker K some time.
Plant a tree.
Hmph... this was on here? No. Didn't do it. I just forgot.
Use hand towels instead of paper towels.
We are rocking this one!
Here are my new resolutions for 2009:
Buy more organic and locally grown produce- whether or not it is from the farmer's market- there is local in my grocery store, I just have to look for it!
Grow our own garden. The Bee Family is really excited about this one.
Use green cleaning products. I am close on this one, I just need a final push.
Make good on my failed promises from last year.
and most importantly,
Pass on these important messages to my children. Drew is already all excited about recycling, he loves to take labels off of cans and put them in our recycling bin. Now I just have to teach Jacob. I know he is young, but it's good to start early on.
Now I challenge everyone else to blog some resolutions and check back on yourself in 2010, and make new green resolutions.
April 20, 2009
Drew and Mommy Date #2
Today Drew had his 4 year check up... so we decided to make a day of it and go to a movie (Monster Vs. Aliens) and lunch.
Drew's 4 year appointment went very well! He was 50% for height and weight (and no longer was his BMI a possible concern for his pediatrician- not that I was ever worried that he was getting chunky- far from it.). His lymph nodes which worry me so much looked fine.
Drew was very concerned about getting his shots (and I was also maybe a smidge concerned). He was so worried when he got his shots when she asked him what he liked to play at home he told her he liked to get shots. He was very brave for his shots... until afterward. He cried and cried for so long, telling me how badly it hurt. We stopped at Walgreens and got three foam swords, twizzlers for the movie and children's ibuprofen. I'm not sure if it was the ibuprofen or the twizzlers or the foam swords... but by the time we reached the movie theater he was fine.
As far as the movie, it was a little too violent for my tastes, but Drew only got scared once (as compared to The Tale of Despereaux or whatever in which he was scared almost the entire time- he still talks about how I took him to "that scary movie". Geez!). I only had to bribe him with 2 pieces of gum to stay through the entire movie.
Then we went to Steak n' shake. He asked me to sit on the same side of the booth with him. I agreed even though it looked a little silly. He ate so much of his lunch I let him get a kid sized chocolate shake to go, and the we drove home. He fell asleep in the car holding his shake and when I removed it from his hand, he stirred a little. "I'm still drinking it," he said and immediately took a sip and fell asleep again mid sip. When it dropped onto the floor 5 minutes later, I didn't even comment, I just picked it up.
We came home and he woke up a little and we cuddled in my bed and talked about our day. So, to recap, a movie, lunch, dessert, shopping, cuddling.... it was a great date day.
I'm not totally turning him into a Mommy's boy am I? Ha ha ha!
Drew's 4 year appointment went very well! He was 50% for height and weight (and no longer was his BMI a possible concern for his pediatrician- not that I was ever worried that he was getting chunky- far from it.). His lymph nodes which worry me so much looked fine.
Drew was very concerned about getting his shots (and I was also maybe a smidge concerned). He was so worried when he got his shots when she asked him what he liked to play at home he told her he liked to get shots. He was very brave for his shots... until afterward. He cried and cried for so long, telling me how badly it hurt. We stopped at Walgreens and got three foam swords, twizzlers for the movie and children's ibuprofen. I'm not sure if it was the ibuprofen or the twizzlers or the foam swords... but by the time we reached the movie theater he was fine.
As far as the movie, it was a little too violent for my tastes, but Drew only got scared once (as compared to The Tale of Despereaux or whatever in which he was scared almost the entire time- he still talks about how I took him to "that scary movie". Geez!). I only had to bribe him with 2 pieces of gum to stay through the entire movie.
Then we went to Steak n' shake. He asked me to sit on the same side of the booth with him. I agreed even though it looked a little silly. He ate so much of his lunch I let him get a kid sized chocolate shake to go, and the we drove home. He fell asleep in the car holding his shake and when I removed it from his hand, he stirred a little. "I'm still drinking it," he said and immediately took a sip and fell asleep again mid sip. When it dropped onto the floor 5 minutes later, I didn't even comment, I just picked it up.We came home and he woke up a little and we cuddled in my bed and talked about our day. So, to recap, a movie, lunch, dessert, shopping, cuddling.... it was a great date day.
I'm not totally turning him into a Mommy's boy am I? Ha ha ha!
April 17, 2009
Friday Favorites #10
It's Friday Favorites time! Oh yes it's time to pay homage to all the things that got us through the week, and give credit where credit is due! Here are my Friday Favorites this week....
#10! Hard to believe 10 weeks Have passed since I started Friday Favorites! In honor of #10 I am going to give you 10 favorites this week- 5 from this week, and 5 favorites overall (these are like my favorites hall of fame). Here we go!
My Five Faves this week:
#10! Hard to believe 10 weeks Have passed since I started Friday Favorites! In honor of #10 I am going to give you 10 favorites this week- 5 from this week, and 5 favorites overall (these are like my favorites hall of fame). Here we go!
My Five Faves this week:
1. Becoming Jane (Movie) Sometimes, especially when I am surfing the crimson wave, I've just got to watch a movies that makes me cry. This is one of them. Heartbreaking, but not in a cheesy, Nicholas Sparks sort of way- sorry Nicholas Sparks fans! If you haven't seen it yet- please do!
2. Pizza and Movie night. One weeknight a week we pull out the kids table and paper plates and watch a movie and eat. Very little cleanup and the kids love their special treat.
Intently watching the movie, they are. Turning into Yoda, I am.
3. Hanging out with my friends on Tuesday. It was much more fun than my tired body can handle!
4. All my blogerinos, my blogging friends who still stick by even when I am in a blogging funk. Thanks guys, I promise I will have better posts soon. Plus you guys totally complimented me on my picture with the kids last Friday which was so totally awesome and totally unexpected.
5. My Niece Marisa. She's turning two today and she gets a special shout out! Love you 'Risa! Your Aunt Janna is the your favorite Auntie, too! (Please wish her a Happy Birthday in the comments section- her Mommy reads the blog and I bet she would think that is cute!)
When Marisa was just an infant and I was pregnant she would let me hold her for hours... and I did! Here is one of the pictures, with Max, my sister's other big baby!My Five Faves overall:
1. My Boys. I bitch, moan and complain sometimes, but where would I be without them? I love the men in my life. I'm beginning to love sports and dinosaurs and trucks- what are they doing to me? EEK!
2. My Mom and Sissie. I miss our Friday lunch dates (at one time we went out to lunch every Friday). And of course my Dad, the grill master extraordinaire.
3. My Friends. Cinquo de Mayo again this year? Puh-leez? I'm not pregnant this year, how about it?
Cinquo de Mayo 2007. Pregnant here. Yep, that's MY 7up. Woot. Ain't no party like a preggo party!
4. Great Wolf Lodge. We had so much fun last year, we are doing it again at the end of May. Even though Jacob hates water. Altogether now- huh? Well we are hoping he changes his mind by then (crosses fingers).
5. Lollapalooza. I hate to be looking forward to the end of summer, but I can't wait to go!
Okay all- now tell me- what are your faves? You can blog some FF's and then link back if you so choose, or leave them in the comments!
April 16, 2009
Shred update
Short post- Busy week. I know I have been phoning it in lately, and I'm sorry. I am just tired/uninspired/lazy/busy/dog ate my homework- whatever. I will hopefully be back with a vengeance next week.
Here is my update on my shredding process.
Today is day 15.
I have lost 3 pounds. This means I am officially out of "omigod I can't believe this what the heck happened?" fat territory and now just comfortably "I hope I don't run into anyone from high school" fat.
I am drinking more water. Also still drinking lots of pop.
Missed one day of shredding because I went out with my friends. I drank a little beer, but didn't overeat when I got home... which is better than I have been doing.
My stomach feels harder, you know under the layers of fat.
Mr. Bee did the shred last weekend. It was seriously the funniest thing ever. Now he claims he is too "sore" to work out. Um next time don't use 12 pound weights, honey!
I officially hate Jillian Michaels.
No pictures yet. Maybe next week?
And yes, I am doing Friday Favorites! Get yours prepared, if you are interested.
Also- Update- Stellan is on route to the Boston Hospital. Please pray for safe transport. Still thinking and praying for you, Stellan.
Here is my update on my shredding process.
Today is day 15.
I have lost 3 pounds. This means I am officially out of "omigod I can't believe this what the heck happened?" fat territory and now just comfortably "I hope I don't run into anyone from high school" fat.
I am drinking more water. Also still drinking lots of pop.
Missed one day of shredding because I went out with my friends. I drank a little beer, but didn't overeat when I got home... which is better than I have been doing.
My stomach feels harder, you know under the layers of fat.
Mr. Bee did the shred last weekend. It was seriously the funniest thing ever. Now he claims he is too "sore" to work out. Um next time don't use 12 pound weights, honey!
I officially hate Jillian Michaels.
No pictures yet. Maybe next week?
And yes, I am doing Friday Favorites! Get yours prepared, if you are interested.
Also- Update- Stellan is on route to the Boston Hospital. Please pray for safe transport. Still thinking and praying for you, Stellan.
April 14, 2009
Pre-Easter Leftovers
I'm too tired to post any intelligent thoughts... I am still recovering from Easter weekend. The house still has a lingering hard boiled egg-fart smell to it from boiling 24 eggs that needs to be aired out. There is still fake Easter grass on our carpet. Our chocolate bunnies have not all been eaten, and I still have some peeps with my name on them. So I will leave you with the pictures that I took at the playground on Saturday, the pictures that made my camera run out of batteries so that I could not take any pictures on Easter. They turned out pretty good, even though the sun was pretty intense that evening. Please enjoy.
Checking it out.
Almost to the slide.
Jacob's turn!
Hi Mom! 
Whee!
Dust bunny.
Want to know what got them giggling and running? Thousands and thousands of dollars in playground equipment and they had the most fun chasing birds.April 9, 2009
Friday Favorites #9
It's Friday Favorites time! Oh yes it's time to pay homage to all the things that got us through the week, and give credit where credit is due! Here are my Friday Favorites this week....
30 Day Shred- Day 7 and I am rocking it! No differences in clothes, but I feel stronger and that is an awesome feeling. And OMG, I weighed myself this morning and I need to do this- and lose about 30 pounds.
My children- I am really grateful to have the sunshines in my life.
30 Day Shred- Day 7 and I am rocking it! No differences in clothes, but I feel stronger and that is an awesome feeling. And OMG, I weighed myself this morning and I need to do this- and lose about 30 pounds.
My children- I am really grateful to have the sunshines in my life.
Yeah they are big time cuddlers.... so this is a scene from our every day life. Ignore my lack of makeup please!
Plus Drew told me he loved me more than all in the world. I'm not sure what it means, but it sounds really sweet.
Stardust (Movie)-This movie just makes me happy. It's worth watching just to see Robert Deniro's character. Plus Clair Danes is so beautiful in it. I like to pretend people still think I look like her... hahaha.
Word Scramble on Ipod Touch- You want to talk about something addictive? Try this game. I can't get enough. And it is free. Double bonus.
Date Days with Mr. Bee- This Friday is Good Friday, so Mr. Bee has it off. I don't, but I took it off so we could have date day and go to lunch and a movie. I'm about to pee my pants I am so excited. We haven't done a true date day in a long time and I love them. That is why this post is so abbreviated, I've got a lot to do before our date day!
Mr. Bee- My late start today is because I slept in till 9:30 am because Mr. Bee took the kids to childcare this morning so I could sleep in. He brought me back breakfast too. Freaking awesome.
And of course, I still love me some Michigan State Men's Basketball team. Good season guys... next year you will come back and ROCK that championship game, I knows it.
What are your Friday Favorites? Leave them in the comments below or write a post put your link on Mr. Linky (and be sure to link back). Thanks!
April 7, 2009
Crow- it's what's for dinner!
So, my beloved Michigan State basketball team had a bad night last night, and lost the championship game. I was near tears sad to see them lose so spectacularly, and I woke up this morning feeling like I had broken up with a bad boyfriend: sad, but relieved it's all over. I am very proud of the Spartan's wonderful season, and almost everyone is returning next year so I am expecting an amazing 2010 season.
It was fun sparring with you, Lucy, Bookkitten, CDB and Tooj. I can't wait to do it all again next year, even if I am eating crow today! Although, truth be told, I need a rest- the NCAA tournament really tires me out!
Now back to my regularly scheduled programming....
Jacob pooped today, came up to me and said "poop", on two separate occasions, and visibly was uncomfortable with his soiled diaper. Methinks it's time to introduce Jacob to the little boy potty! (For those who might think it's early, Drew was Jacob's age when I introduced the potty and he was potty trained at 2 and 1/2. Although he was ridiculously easy, especially for a boy, to potty train.
Drew is still my sweet little cuddler.
Mr. Bee is suffering today from watching the game last night and then being up at 4:45 am for work. Ouch!
And I am on day 5 of the 30 day shred, and am trying to eat more sensibly. (Not diet.) So more water, less snacks. Trying people. I want to lose 20 lbs before Lollapalooza- which is in 4 months. That's reasonable, right?
The shredding will take me away from the computer more often, so that means less posts, but hopefully better ones, and of course, I will post my Friday Favorites (and some Not Me! Mondays, because I enjoy doing them).
Thanks for sticking around during NCAA time... it will be 11 months before I do it all over again, I promise!
It was fun sparring with you, Lucy, Bookkitten, CDB and Tooj. I can't wait to do it all again next year, even if I am eating crow today! Although, truth be told, I need a rest- the NCAA tournament really tires me out!
Now back to my regularly scheduled programming....
Jacob pooped today, came up to me and said "poop", on two separate occasions, and visibly was uncomfortable with his soiled diaper. Methinks it's time to introduce Jacob to the little boy potty! (For those who might think it's early, Drew was Jacob's age when I introduced the potty and he was potty trained at 2 and 1/2. Although he was ridiculously easy, especially for a boy, to potty train.
Drew is still my sweet little cuddler.
Mr. Bee is suffering today from watching the game last night and then being up at 4:45 am for work. Ouch!
And I am on day 5 of the 30 day shred, and am trying to eat more sensibly. (Not diet.) So more water, less snacks. Trying people. I want to lose 20 lbs before Lollapalooza- which is in 4 months. That's reasonable, right?
The shredding will take me away from the computer more often, so that means less posts, but hopefully better ones, and of course, I will post my Friday Favorites (and some Not Me! Mondays, because I enjoy doing them).
Thanks for sticking around during NCAA time... it will be 11 months before I do it all over again, I promise!
April 6, 2009
Liveish Blogging My Saturday (warning: MSU basketball related!)
So two of you many of you asked if I made it home and got to catch up and watch the game live since I had to DVR the first half, so I figured I'd give you the crazy play by play of my day, as best I remember, (which is pretty well). So in a way, this is a loosely done- live blog of my fun filled Saturday, which started with a One year old's Birthday Party and ended with a great win. Here you go:
2:15 pm- Remember at nearly last minute to DVR the MSU game.
2:20 pm- Leave for Birthday party.
2:45 pm- In car. Mr. Bee looks over at me, panicked. "We didn't record the game."
"Oh yes, I did, along with packing, dressing the children and wrapping the gifts. Thanks for all the help," I say sarcastically. Mr. Bee looks sheepish. I immediately feel bad for being so sarcastic. I'm a little tightly wound today.
3:30 pm- Arrive on time for party. We eat cake, and watch the Birthday Boy open presents.
4:30 pm- Change into swimming suits for swimming at the aquatic center, the second half of the party. Drew is pumped.
4:45 pm- Jacob... yeah, not so pumped, but absolutely terrified of the water. I end up holding him and trying repeatedly to get him to warm up to the water for 20 minutes, before I go back and change him into clothes again. Then I hold Jacob and watch everyone having fun.
6:05 pm- Leaving party. Mr. Bee & Bee company are starving. Go through Burger King drive through, get most inept BK employee ever. Have to ask for my drink, toys for kids and we somehow end up with a extra meal. No idea if we paid for it, because he doesn't give us a receipt. No matter, because we are in a hurry speeding toward home.
6:30 pm- "So what do you think is happening right now?" Mr. Bee asks. "We should listen to the game on the radio."
"Don't you want to get the whole experience?" I ask him.
"Yeah, I guess you're right."
7:10 pm- Get home. Turn on TV with my back facing it- just in case the DVR turned to the channel that the game is on (caveat of DVR recording) and score is showing. I hear a commercial, so I turn around and turn on the half-recorded live version. I feel throwy uppy in my mouth, I am so nervous. Or maybe that's the Burger King.
7:30 pm- MSU is down by 5. "Oh it's over," I say and proceed to go get Jacob ready for bed. (I say this a lot when I watch, I figure it's good luck to have low expectations.)
7:45 pm- MSU is only down by one when I come out! Yay! I tell Mr. Bee who is helping Drew, to come out. Mr. Bee says that it's okay if we don't catch up. "But what if they win?" I say. "We will know before the game is over, by people yelling and stuff!" Mr. Bee gives me a yeah right look.
Drew asks to draw on old thank you notes, ones that could possibly be used later, but I let him because I know it will keep him occupied. "Sit at the table and ONLY draw on the paper," I instruct.
8:05 pm- Close to catching up (man there are a lot of commercials to fast forward through) and MSU is ahead! Yes. So excited, I can't even get annoyed when I discover Drew has written all over his hand and arm with a pen.
8:15 pm- Game gets close, and we are almost caught up, and then UConn almost catches up. I start whining about how MSU got my hopes up, and now they CANNOT lose. I'm fun to watch the game with, really, I swears!
8:20 pm- Caught up with 3 minutes left on the clock for the game. Excitement is palpable. Yay- I turn on the computer, ready to speet (sport tweet), all rushed to get some speets in before the game is over.
8:30 pm- Hell yes!! MSU is victorious. Immediately hear shouting outside, cars honking their horns. East Lansing is erupting and we are only on the outskirts. Mr. Bee and I are so pumped, you'd think we played the game! Drew is overly tired and starts whining, but calms down when we tell him to listen for the helicopters swirling over East Lansing.
8:45 pm- Mr. Bee runs up to the store for libations, and I put Drew to bed. I tell him he helped MSU win by cheering them on and wearing his MSU shirt. Suddenly he gets angry. "Mommy, we didn't go a lot of places today, and I wanted to go to a lot of places."
"Well, honey we went to a water park and a Birthday Party. Wasn't that fun?"
"Yeah, but I wanted to go to a lot of places and I only went to one." He starts pouting and looking as if he will cry. I can't even believe him at this point.
"Well," I think about it and realize that arguing with an overtired four year old is NOT a good idea. I come up with my stock answer whenever he is being ridiculous about something. "I am sorry you feel sad about that. Tomorrow is a new day, lets get some sleep."
9:00 pm- Celebrations! And libations!
9:15 ish- Comment on blog from Bookkitten, a UConn fan:
Kitten
4/04/2009
I'm eating crow right now, Janna...just thought I'd let you know...
10:00 am (Sunday) Maybe too many libations. Head hurting.
So there you have it. This has been a great tournament so far, and I am hoping that MSU can pull off another amazing win. I am so proud and happy to be an MSU fan. The team has worked hard and earned this spot. I couldn't be happier for them, no matter the outcome.
And I did kind of predict something big for the team in the tournament. Now I look smart instead of crazy- yay!
Speet you later (9:30 ish?)
Go GREEN!
Oh, and I promise, less sports talk after tonight.
2:15 pm- Remember at nearly last minute to DVR the MSU game.
2:20 pm- Leave for Birthday party.
2:45 pm- In car. Mr. Bee looks over at me, panicked. "We didn't record the game."
"Oh yes, I did, along with packing, dressing the children and wrapping the gifts. Thanks for all the help," I say sarcastically. Mr. Bee looks sheepish. I immediately feel bad for being so sarcastic. I'm a little tightly wound today.
3:30 pm- Arrive on time for party. We eat cake, and watch the Birthday Boy open presents.
4:30 pm- Change into swimming suits for swimming at the aquatic center, the second half of the party. Drew is pumped.
4:45 pm- Jacob... yeah, not so pumped, but absolutely terrified of the water. I end up holding him and trying repeatedly to get him to warm up to the water for 20 minutes, before I go back and change him into clothes again. Then I hold Jacob and watch everyone having fun.
6:05 pm- Leaving party. Mr. Bee & Bee company are starving. Go through Burger King drive through, get most inept BK employee ever. Have to ask for my drink, toys for kids and we somehow end up with a extra meal. No idea if we paid for it, because he doesn't give us a receipt. No matter, because we are in a hurry speeding toward home.
6:30 pm- "So what do you think is happening right now?" Mr. Bee asks. "We should listen to the game on the radio."
"Don't you want to get the whole experience?" I ask him.
"Yeah, I guess you're right."
7:10 pm- Get home. Turn on TV with my back facing it- just in case the DVR turned to the channel that the game is on (caveat of DVR recording) and score is showing. I hear a commercial, so I turn around and turn on the half-recorded live version. I feel throwy uppy in my mouth, I am so nervous. Or maybe that's the Burger King.
7:30 pm- MSU is down by 5. "Oh it's over," I say and proceed to go get Jacob ready for bed. (I say this a lot when I watch, I figure it's good luck to have low expectations.)
7:45 pm- MSU is only down by one when I come out! Yay! I tell Mr. Bee who is helping Drew, to come out. Mr. Bee says that it's okay if we don't catch up. "But what if they win?" I say. "We will know before the game is over, by people yelling and stuff!" Mr. Bee gives me a yeah right look.
Drew asks to draw on old thank you notes, ones that could possibly be used later, but I let him because I know it will keep him occupied. "Sit at the table and ONLY draw on the paper," I instruct.
8:05 pm- Close to catching up (man there are a lot of commercials to fast forward through) and MSU is ahead! Yes. So excited, I can't even get annoyed when I discover Drew has written all over his hand and arm with a pen.
8:15 pm- Game gets close, and we are almost caught up, and then UConn almost catches up. I start whining about how MSU got my hopes up, and now they CANNOT lose. I'm fun to watch the game with, really, I swears!
8:20 pm- Caught up with 3 minutes left on the clock for the game. Excitement is palpable. Yay- I turn on the computer, ready to speet (sport tweet), all rushed to get some speets in before the game is over.
8:30 pm- Hell yes!! MSU is victorious. Immediately hear shouting outside, cars honking their horns. East Lansing is erupting and we are only on the outskirts. Mr. Bee and I are so pumped, you'd think we played the game! Drew is overly tired and starts whining, but calms down when we tell him to listen for the helicopters swirling over East Lansing.
8:45 pm- Mr. Bee runs up to the store for libations, and I put Drew to bed. I tell him he helped MSU win by cheering them on and wearing his MSU shirt. Suddenly he gets angry. "Mommy, we didn't go a lot of places today, and I wanted to go to a lot of places."
"Well, honey we went to a water park and a Birthday Party. Wasn't that fun?"
"Yeah, but I wanted to go to a lot of places and I only went to one." He starts pouting and looking as if he will cry. I can't even believe him at this point.
"Well," I think about it and realize that arguing with an overtired four year old is NOT a good idea. I come up with my stock answer whenever he is being ridiculous about something. "I am sorry you feel sad about that. Tomorrow is a new day, lets get some sleep."
9:00 pm- Celebrations! And libations!
9:15 ish- Comment on blog from Bookkitten, a UConn fan:
Kitten
4/04/2009
I'm eating crow right now, Janna...just thought I'd let you know...
10:00 am (Sunday) Maybe too many libations. Head hurting.
So there you have it. This has been a great tournament so far, and I am hoping that MSU can pull off another amazing win. I am so proud and happy to be an MSU fan. The team has worked hard and earned this spot. I couldn't be happier for them, no matter the outcome.
And I did kind of predict something big for the team in the tournament. Now I look smart instead of crazy- yay!
Speet you later (9:30 ish?)
Go GREEN!
Oh, and I promise, less sports talk after tonight.
April 4, 2009
Black Out
So today is a very important game. You all know how much I love the Michigan State Basketball team. LOVE them.
I have a Birthday party that we are attending @ 3:30pm. It's an hour away. It's at aqautic center, which means getting the kids into and out of bathing suits and getting dry, loading the kids into the car, and driving home to watch the game. The game that starts @ 6:00pm. These things don't add up. SO....
We are doing the unthinkable.
We are DVRing what is the most important game this year and playing catchup.
Starting at 3:30 I will not be contacting the outside world. Computers, Cell phones all shut off so we can watch the game on about an hour delay. Please do not try and contact me.
The things we do for our teams. I now know how Mr. Bee, a huge sports fan feels every day of his life!
Go State!
Beat those Dogs, those Huskies!!!
This is for you, Bookkitten! My response to your post!
I have a Birthday party that we are attending @ 3:30pm. It's an hour away. It's at aqautic center, which means getting the kids into and out of bathing suits and getting dry, loading the kids into the car, and driving home to watch the game. The game that starts @ 6:00pm. These things don't add up. SO....
We are doing the unthinkable.
We are DVRing what is the most important game this year and playing catchup.
Starting at 3:30 I will not be contacting the outside world. Computers, Cell phones all shut off so we can watch the game on about an hour delay. Please do not try and contact me.
The things we do for our teams. I now know how Mr. Bee, a huge sports fan feels every day of his life!
Go State!
Beat those Dogs, those Huskies!!!
This is for you, Bookkitten! My response to your post!
April 3, 2009
Friday Favorites #8
It's Friday Favorites time! Oh yes it's time to pay homage to all the things that got us through the week, and give credit where credit is due! Here are my Friday Favorites this week....
Hearing Good News about Stellan. I know I am not the only blogger out there that has been touched by this little boy, and worried about him nonstop. I am so glad there has finally been some good news about the little guy. Click on my button on the side for more information.
Hearing Good News about Stellan. I know I am not the only blogger out there that has been touched by this little boy, and worried about him nonstop. I am so glad there has finally been some good news about the little guy. Click on my button on the side for more information.
Kris Allen on American Idol. He is the most talented (can play two instruments- well!), and most creative (without being annoying- yes I'm talking about you, Adam Lambert) contestant this year. Can he save the abysmal season 8? Only time will tell. He sure is a cutie pie too!
Starter for 10 (DVD) Jen @ Daily Mish Mash recommended this movie to me after I told her of my fondness of James McAvoy. (If you don't know who he is- watch Atonement or Becoming Jane- two greats that he is in.) I absolutely adored the movie. Granted, it's a B movie with low budget, but James was great in it and the rest of the cast was a breath of fresh air too. And go check out Jen's Blog, it's very entertaining!
Adobe Photoshop 7 (computer software) I just bought this and I LOVE it! I am still learning, but the things you can do with it are endless! It's pretty awesome and it's how I made my new- spring inspired button. I love it. I am also planning on working on a blog makeover. If you decide you are interested in purchasing this- there is a link to Amazon on the side bar and let me tell you, I spent a heckuva lot more on the program buying this at Best Buy. That is a great price for it. Plus, if you click on any of those Amazon ads and decide to buy them, I get some Amazon bucks. I signed up to be an Amazon Associate since I was already linking to them in my Friday Favorites, so I figured I might as well! I promise I will never put anything I don't love into those boxes (the Google ads are a different story....)
Weiners by Black Hockey Jesus @ THE WIND IN YOUR VAGINA. Because he is a fantastic writer and I think you should check him out, also because I think it makes a great companion piece for my favorite post that I did this week- The Nipple Talk. (I know I normally never mention something I wrote, but feedburner messed up the timing of this post so badly.)
Horton Hears A Who DVD Already a classic in my book.
And how could I forget MY BELOVED SPARTANS. I am so proud of the Michigan State University Basketball team. You guys have made me proud, no matter what happens in the game tomorrow. And YES I APPRECIATE YOU TOM IZZO.
I know, I am working on learning more, but this is as fancy as I get for now!
I know, I am working on learning more, but this is as fancy as I get for now!My Readers. You know, for not judging me when I tell you something that doesn't portray me in the best light (i.e, my last two posts). I am glad I can be honest with you. Plus without you I would just be babbling to myself. Not that I have a problem doing that!
What are your Friday Favorites? Leave them in the comments or post an entry on your blog and link up (be sure to link back here).
April 2, 2009
Re: The Bees and their Honey Sugar
Thanks to all those who responded with NO judgement to my last post. I loved reading all of them. I love all of the "non-healthy eaters that outed themselves!
I would like to say one thing. I DO feed my children vegetables.
Certain items, the ones that are recommended you only buy organic I buy organic (i.e. peaches). If items are on sale and they are organic, I buy them as well.
I often went and consulted with Drew's pediatrician about his horrendous eating habits and she told me not to worry, if he was drinking juice he would get the nutrients he needs and eventually he would grow out of it. Which he has. He will at least try every vegetable we put in front of him, and he is obsessed with sugar snap peas (geez, I wonder why). He just has a huge sweet tooth.
Thanks for the suggestions. Some of them I do and some of them I don't do, and some I will try, others I will not (one I have not tried yet-we own Deceptively Delicious- unfortunately these recipes require lots of work and time I do not have).
One reader, Carebear asked for suggestions, believe it or not, on how to eat healthier. Here they are: I do give my kids V-8 Frusion. Why not? It's yummy and good for them. I actually do water down juice though, always have. My kids aren't allowed to have soda. Drew has to try what is on his plate. No short order cooks here. I actually wrote a post on how we accomplish this. Jacob we can't bargain with yet, but he's our big fruit eater. He can finish a whole pint of blueberries in one sitting if we let him. We don't eat a lot of fast food (besides pizza), and I really do try to incorporate fruits and vegetables into every meal. I actually always check the sugar content on items and the vitamin content and go with the best choice in breakfast cereals and cereal bars. Cookie Crisp is surprisingly better than many of the ones he did want, although I think I will try and see if he likes Honey Nut Cheerios, as Krissy suggested. We also make a game out of picking out new fruits and vegetables to try, Drew's favorite is the pummelo (and it's cute to listen to him pronounce it). Like Lucy said in her comment, It's all about balance. I am trying to balance it all. I think I am doing an okay job. If I didn't think so, I would say so. I'm honest like that.
Like one reader, Roxane, said:
No judging here! They are fed, clothes, loved and have a warm place to sleep...You are doing great :)
Thanks Roxane, I couldn't agree more- Not to toot my own horn or anything... toot!
I am working on Friday Favorites also.... I have ton this week (this week has been good to me). Looking forward to reading all of yours!
I would like to say one thing. I DO feed my children vegetables.
Certain items, the ones that are recommended you only buy organic I buy organic (i.e. peaches). If items are on sale and they are organic, I buy them as well.
I often went and consulted with Drew's pediatrician about his horrendous eating habits and she told me not to worry, if he was drinking juice he would get the nutrients he needs and eventually he would grow out of it. Which he has. He will at least try every vegetable we put in front of him, and he is obsessed with sugar snap peas (geez, I wonder why). He just has a huge sweet tooth.
Thanks for the suggestions. Some of them I do and some of them I don't do, and some I will try, others I will not (one I have not tried yet-we own Deceptively Delicious- unfortunately these recipes require lots of work and time I do not have).
One reader, Carebear asked for suggestions, believe it or not, on how to eat healthier. Here they are: I do give my kids V-8 Frusion. Why not? It's yummy and good for them. I actually do water down juice though, always have. My kids aren't allowed to have soda. Drew has to try what is on his plate. No short order cooks here. I actually wrote a post on how we accomplish this. Jacob we can't bargain with yet, but he's our big fruit eater. He can finish a whole pint of blueberries in one sitting if we let him. We don't eat a lot of fast food (besides pizza), and I really do try to incorporate fruits and vegetables into every meal. I actually always check the sugar content on items and the vitamin content and go with the best choice in breakfast cereals and cereal bars. Cookie Crisp is surprisingly better than many of the ones he did want, although I think I will try and see if he likes Honey Nut Cheerios, as Krissy suggested. We also make a game out of picking out new fruits and vegetables to try, Drew's favorite is the pummelo (and it's cute to listen to him pronounce it). Like Lucy said in her comment, It's all about balance. I am trying to balance it all. I think I am doing an okay job. If I didn't think so, I would say so. I'm honest like that.
Like one reader, Roxane, said:
No judging here! They are fed, clothes, loved and have a warm place to sleep...You are doing great :)
Thanks Roxane, I couldn't agree more- Not to toot my own horn or anything... toot!
I am working on Friday Favorites also.... I have ton this week (this week has been good to me). Looking forward to reading all of yours!
April 1, 2009
The Secret eating habits of The Bees
Okay, I am going to admit it.
My name is Janna and I do not feed my kids organic food. Well, not very often. Maybe if there is a sale.
I don't even feed my children healthy food.
Okay, well maybe that's an overstatement. I do not like to cook. Maybe I would if I didn't work full-time, but somehow I doubt it. We have pizza (Freschetta frozen pizza, when it's on sale we stock up to save money) at least once a week. We tout this meal as a treat. We often don't have a vegetable with it (what goes with pizza? No clue. My kids are not salad eaters yet). I barely make a home cooked dinner. I do make my children eat a fruit or a vegetable or both with lunch and dinner (except for pizza)- but breakfasts are another story. I don't remember the last time I made breakfast for them. They have a couple of choices- cereal bars, Eggo waffles or Mini-muffins, with a banana as the fruit (for Jacob because Drew won't eat fruit in the morning.)
This morning- Drew had Cookie Crisp cereal. This was after copious amounts of whining because we were out of chocolate chip mini-muffins. Why not blueberry you ask? Because he doesn't like blueberries. That's fruit, yo. In a muffin. It's healthy food disguised as a muffin!
Before you judge, understand that I am in a losing battle with Mr. Bee. He has the biggest sweet tooth of anyone I have ever met. He starts jonesing when we are out of chocolate, I kid you not. When I was working retail and he took care of Drew on Saturdays and Sundays he gave Drew his first taste of chocolate, a peanut butter cup at age 18 months. My head almost exploded when I found out about said indiscretion with the sugar, I was so mad. It has been downhill ever since. Drew now has the biggest sweet tooth, and he especially loves chocolate too. I can't decide if this chocoholism is inherited or learned behavior. Probably a little bit of both.
I am also to blame here. My exhaustion over morning routines led to the horrible breakfasts that my family consumes now. I am only human and I have to get a 17 month old and a 4 year old ready and out the door by 7:30 by myself- My husband has already left for work before they wake up. I don't have time to argue about breakfast.
So in short I am ashamed. I have been trying to incorporate new fruits and veggies, making sure they have at least 2 or 3 a day and Drew is getting much better about eating vegetables (for a while he would only eat corn or broccoli). Mr. Bee is even making an effort, touting apples as "special treats" and cutting them up for everyone to share. It works most days. So it's not as if we AREN'T trying... but overall we are teh failure at getting our children to eat healthy.
You are welcome to comment with suggestions, but I warn you- if they are not easy suggestions I will not have time to implement them. That is unless they have come up with a fruit or vegetable that tastes, looks and smells like chocolate or you want to cough up the dough for an organic chef to visit our house. Sorry.
And yes, after work I will be running to the store for Non- organic- i.e. poison milk, non-organic ground beef (yes that red meat- I don't even know where I would buy organic meat where I live, we don't have any fancy Whole Food stores or the like) and-- cough-ahem- chocolate chip muffins. NO JUDGEMENT.
I would like to point out that Drew asked for candy sticks (I didn't buy them, he got them in a goody bag for a birthday party, I swear!) for breakfast. I told him no. I do have some limits.
Yeah, that's me shoving cake in Jacob's mouth. YOU WILL EAT SUGAR AND LIKE IT! Okay, yeah it was his first cake, on his first birthday... but it was just a warm up for the peanut butter cup afterward (I kid, I kid- It was Drew who had the peanut butter cup. Oh okay, no one had a peanut butter cup-that day, at least.See, now you feel better, right? )
My name is Janna and I do not feed my kids organic food. Well, not very often. Maybe if there is a sale.
I don't even feed my children healthy food.
Okay, well maybe that's an overstatement. I do not like to cook. Maybe I would if I didn't work full-time, but somehow I doubt it. We have pizza (Freschetta frozen pizza, when it's on sale we stock up to save money) at least once a week. We tout this meal as a treat. We often don't have a vegetable with it (what goes with pizza? No clue. My kids are not salad eaters yet). I barely make a home cooked dinner. I do make my children eat a fruit or a vegetable or both with lunch and dinner (except for pizza)- but breakfasts are another story. I don't remember the last time I made breakfast for them. They have a couple of choices- cereal bars, Eggo waffles or Mini-muffins, with a banana as the fruit (for Jacob because Drew won't eat fruit in the morning.)
This morning- Drew had Cookie Crisp cereal. This was after copious amounts of whining because we were out of chocolate chip mini-muffins. Why not blueberry you ask? Because he doesn't like blueberries. That's fruit, yo. In a muffin. It's healthy food disguised as a muffin!
Before you judge, understand that I am in a losing battle with Mr. Bee. He has the biggest sweet tooth of anyone I have ever met. He starts jonesing when we are out of chocolate, I kid you not. When I was working retail and he took care of Drew on Saturdays and Sundays he gave Drew his first taste of chocolate, a peanut butter cup at age 18 months. My head almost exploded when I found out about said indiscretion with the sugar, I was so mad. It has been downhill ever since. Drew now has the biggest sweet tooth, and he especially loves chocolate too. I can't decide if this chocoholism is inherited or learned behavior. Probably a little bit of both.
I am also to blame here. My exhaustion over morning routines led to the horrible breakfasts that my family consumes now. I am only human and I have to get a 17 month old and a 4 year old ready and out the door by 7:30 by myself- My husband has already left for work before they wake up. I don't have time to argue about breakfast.
So in short I am ashamed. I have been trying to incorporate new fruits and veggies, making sure they have at least 2 or 3 a day and Drew is getting much better about eating vegetables (for a while he would only eat corn or broccoli). Mr. Bee is even making an effort, touting apples as "special treats" and cutting them up for everyone to share. It works most days. So it's not as if we AREN'T trying... but overall we are teh failure at getting our children to eat healthy.
You are welcome to comment with suggestions, but I warn you- if they are not easy suggestions I will not have time to implement them. That is unless they have come up with a fruit or vegetable that tastes, looks and smells like chocolate or you want to cough up the dough for an organic chef to visit our house. Sorry.
And yes, after work I will be running to the store for Non- organic- i.e. poison milk, non-organic ground beef (yes that red meat- I don't even know where I would buy organic meat where I live, we don't have any fancy Whole Food stores or the like) and-- cough-ahem- chocolate chip muffins. NO JUDGEMENT.
I would like to point out that Drew asked for candy sticks (I didn't buy them, he got them in a goody bag for a birthday party, I swear!) for breakfast. I told him no. I do have some limits.
Yeah, that's me shoving cake in Jacob's mouth. YOU WILL EAT SUGAR AND LIKE IT! Okay, yeah it was his first cake, on his first birthday... but it was just a warm up for the peanut butter cup afterward (I kid, I kid- It was Drew who had the peanut butter cup. Oh okay, no one had a peanut butter cup-that day, at least.See, now you feel better, right? )
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